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"I've been doing this for 44 years. I don't approve of anything like that. Nobody gets to engage in behavior that's abusive and I regret what happened to Ms Connelly. We own it and we’ll take responsibility for it.

"I don't want people to think that behavior reflects the values of this organization. It does not.

"Once you look into it and watch the video, I think the video is self-explanatory. If you shouldn't be wearing a badge and a gun, part of my job is to make sure you're not."

The Vermont State Police and the attorney general's office are carrying out investigations on the case.

Meanwhile, Lawton is appealing against his termination from the police force.